Tips on Improving Speed of Your Mobile Broadband Connection

When connecting to the Mobile Internet on the go, we all value the convenience and ability to just fire up the netbook, plug in the USB modem, and – just surf or do whatever we need to get done.

All this excitement goes away, however, when we suddenly realize that it takes a page to load forever. What could go wrong?

Well, mobile internet connection is ~~not over the wire, it’s~~ over the air. ~~And that means that there are~~ any number of factors ~~that~~ could influence your data rate. This uncertainty is inherent in any wireless network, but if you know what may affect performance – then you’ve got a fair chance of getting it fixed.

Things to go over when seeking to improve your mobile broadband connection:

1) Signal Strength

Your connection speed depends on the strength of the signal from your mobile broadband provider. Of course there are all kinds of arcane algorithms built in modern 3G networks to make data speeds more consistent, but nothing will help if the radio signal can’t reach you. Especially in the city, the signal may take many different routes to reach your modem.

Signal strength may even vary during the day and may even be affected by the weather such as strong rain or snow.

Mobile operators usually provide a signal strength indicator with their software. Try to move around a bit and find a spot where the signal is the best. Your connection will definitely improve.

2) Type of Connection

There are two general types of existing mobile data networks: the 3G, and much slower previous generation 2G network. If you stumbled into an area, where 3G network still is not available, you will automatically be switched to the older 2G technology. There is a substantial difference between the speeds received from these networks. With 3G coverage you’ll be getting speeds of around 1.8Mbps, while 2G will yield speeds as slow as 30Kbps.

Check the indicator showing the type of connection that is usually displayed by your provider connection manager. 3G connection is usually indicated as a small “3G” or “H” sign. If there is not such icon – then you may be in the 2G cell.

There is nothing much you can do in this situation other than move to another place with guaranteed 3G coverage.

3) What Your Network is Capable of

The maximum speed of the provider’s network is what limits your connection speed.
Each company has different maximum speeds, but another factor that also comes into play here is the “backhaul”, which is the provider’s link back to the internet. In order to achieve these high speeds this link must be fast enough.

Usually there is no reason to worry about the backhaul as major mobile operators are making sure that it has enough bandwidth. However, if you happen to be in a busy cell with a lot of people connecting simultaneously – then the backhaul bandwidth may be clogged, limiting your data speed.

4) Is Your Modem Good Enough?

Mobile broadband modems differ in speeds, some have speeds from 3.6Mbps while others go up to 7.2Mbps and support higher upload speeds. If your modem speed is lower then your mobile broadband provider’s speed, however, you won’t be able to reach those higher speeds. There are also modems with a feature called “receive diversity”, these models have two internal antennas as opposed to others with only a single one, making them much faster, even in areas with bad coverage.

Always check the data rate and air interface specs of the modem before you buy, and make sure it meets or exceeds the operator’s network characteristics.

5) Number of Active Users in the Cell

Mobile broadband uses a shared data service, meaning that the connection you’re using to transfer data is also being used by many others. This sharing happens on many levels – in the air where all cell users share radio spectrum, and in the connection to Internet (backhaul), where all cell users share the backhaul bandwidth. Don’t worry, though, your data is perfectly secure on mobile network (at least before entering the Internet), as it is strongly encrypted when transmitted over the air (which is not always the case with WiFi).

When too many people are on the mobile broadband network at the same time, the connection speed will suffer, depending on factors like what exactly people are doing on the network.

Several dudes streaming some video may very easily make life difficult for all other cell users. Fortunately, there are complicated algorithms built in modern 3G data networks to solve this and distribute radio and connection resources more evenly.
Still, do not be surprised if you connection goes down in an airport or after a goal during a football match.

Sometimes network congestion is spiky and goes away by itself, sometimes not. You may find connection better at some times of the day or you may have to move to another place with fewer mobile internet users.

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